A Caloundra student with a head for numbers and an interest in humanitarian aid work has earned a prestigious $15,000 scholarship from the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Becky Cadman, 18, who gained an OP1 and was dux of Meridan State College, said she was thrilled to be one of two people awarded USC Renouf Family Scholarships for 2018.

“It’s been a big honour to receive such an important scholarship, so I’m really happy,” Becky said. “It was a lovely surprise.”

The Renouf Family Scholarships were established in 2008 by Sir Clem Renouf AM to honour his parents after they made difficult sacrifices to ensure he received a good education.

Becky has enrolled in USC’s Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and will be continuing a family tradition after her father, grandfather and an uncle all pursued careers in this field.

“I have a real passion for maths, which was one of my favourite subjects,” Becky said.

“Ultimately, I would like to help people in the community through my future field of expertise.”

Becky, who plans to use the scholarship money to pay for textbooks and university fees, said she chose to study at USC after meeting academics on a tour of the university last year.

“All the supervisors and tutors I met seemed really relatable and easy to talk to,” Becky said. “That was important to me.”

“They also conveyed a high degree of expertise in their field, so I felt like the university would be a good place for me to establish a foothold in higher education.”

Becky, who has been studying Italian for 10 years at school, said she would like to combine her love of numbers and language with her passion for travel.

“I’m interested in working for not-for-profit organisations or reputable international companies because I would like do humanitarian work in an environment where I have opportunities to travel and grow in my role,” Becky said.

“I definitely want to help the world and make it a better place.”

- Tom Snowdon